Organisation and Mindmapping

From ITCH

=== Mind Mapping === (all original text in this section)

1 What is Mindmapping
2 How to Create a MindMap
3 Mind Mapping Packages

What is Mindmapping

Mind maps present and enable the working out of ideas in a visual way using words, images, symbols and colour. The specific term ‘mind mapping’ was developed along with the concept in the late 1960s by Tony Buzan who has written a range of books on the subject. There is also an accompanying video presented by Lana Israel.

There are many ways to express visual ideas such as charting, spidergrams, concept maps and story boards.

The advantage of using mind mapping is that it facilitates thinking about information in new ways. Student research, for example, often involves copying from one place to another whereas Mind mapping focuses on the connections between information and ideas. Mind maps are extremely useful for planning and review and can demonstrate the overall understanding of structure and ideas. It is easy to add information to Mind maps, to revise and edit them and if necessary to break off into a new map when there is a particularly rich strand of detail. Students often find them very helpful for revision purposes and in this case images and single words are keys to recall. The student needs to think through the information that is represented.

How to Create a MindMap

HOW TO CREATE A MIND MAP (original text)

Central Image - In the centre of a piece of unlined paper, draw an image that represents the main topic or idea and write a title using capitals. This central icon is a visual anchor for the topic. Therefore the more relevant the picture, the better the Mind Map will be remembered.

The Main Branches - Radiating out from the centre are the major topic branches. The main branches can be different colours and should be labelled; using capitals makes words stand out and encourages brevity. Images should be used where possible and helpful.

The Sub-Branches- Add further detail to the main branches using sub-branches and continue to use images throughout. Links can be built up throughout the map using codes and symbols or colours.

MINDMAPPING SOFTWARE

There are many advantages to making mind maps by hand, its quick, personal and very easy to sketch in visual reminders and aids to memory. Some students enjoy the artistic elements and take pride in them, they are also very easy to edit. The drawbacks are that the paper size is limiting and that sometimes a wealth of detail can be added which makes them indecipherable.

Software offers crystal clear presentation, consistencies in the adoption of symbols and colour, easier manipulation, addition and revision of information.

There are a number of specialist mind mapping software packages but there are also other ways of presenting information visually using software that is likely to already be on the PC.

Word processing software: It is possible to make mind maps in Word quite slowly, but for presentation purposes its worth the effort.

Painting and Drawing software: Paint software such as Paint, Photoshop Corel Paint Hyperstudio enables illustrating and free painting and these images can be moved into drawing software where connectors, and vector graphics can be used.

Excel enables the easy creation of charts and tables.

Mind Mapping Packages

Free Mind

Freemind is a free download that enables the rapid creation of mainly textual mind maps. Its available on-line at : http://freemind.sourceforge.net/

You will need to download the Java runtime environment and the Freemind programme.

Creating a mind map in Freemind is straightforward and the programme facilitates parent and child maps enabling detail to be built up on branches and sub branches without running out of room.

Mind Manager

This is sophisticated and enables project management and building up vast maps with hyper-links to sections. Maps can be shared. Images can be used and different formats. There is also a brainstorming function to allow rapid map building.

Inspiration and Kidspiration

There are 2 packages: Kidspiration for primary aged children and Inspiration for up to adult. Inspiration enables brainstorming through its Rapid fire operation and more detailed mind map building with pictures and different maps. Its possible to do flow diagrammes and geanologies.